Experience with percutaneous transhepatic fiberoptic choledochoscopy for retained stones in the biliary tract. Report on 15 patients.

Residual choledochal stones in 11 patients and stones in the intrahepatic bile ducts in 5 patients were successfully removed by the use of the fiberoptic choledochoscope (FCH-6T), introduced percutaneously into the intrahepatic biliary tract. The reasons for the use of percutaneous transhepatic extraction were: (1) unsuccessful endoscopic papillotomy; (2) unsuccessful choledochoscopic removal via the T-tube tract; (3) high surgical risk; (4) the presence of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage for acute cholangitis and acute pancreatitis. All stones were extracted through the liver or the papilla of Vater after crushing them. All minor complications such as pain, vomiting, or fever resolved without further therapy. Percutaneous transhepatic choledochoscopy proved safe and effective for the removal of retained choledochal stones and was essential for the treatment of stones in the intrahepatic bile ducts.